“At Hesed, we gab like parrots, tune in like owls and stash memories like magpies and oh, we’re not shy about spilling them either! Come catch the buzz with us.”

Well, we’ve had soooo many wonderful memories-each member, employee, partner, trustee, and volunteer has a story to tell.

One that stands out for me is from my time teaching in a slum stay in Dahisar. Exact moment the picture was taken. For months, I had been teaching the kids-helping them with schoolwork and, most importantly, working on personality development, especially for the girls. Oh my, these girls have my heart! They are the most intelligent and beautiful souls, ranging from ages 6 to 15.

Every Saturday evening, I would go to a small rented shed, a simple space made of steel sheets (Patra), with blue plastic sheets (Tadpatri) to keep out the rain. A single light bulb lit up the room, and one table fan worked hard to beat the heat – it was surprisingly effective, better than an AC at times! That particular evening in May, it was scorching hot at 6 PM, but by 8 PM, the winds picked up, and the sky rumbled with thunder- strange for the hottest month of the year. Then suddenly, the first rain of the season poured down.

We couldn’t study anymore, so we did the next best thing – we sang, we laughed, we celebrated. It was pure joy.

But then came the hard part. I had to tell my kids that I wouldn’t be there for the next couple of weeks as I was traveling. Their confused faces tugged at my heart, but they nodded and left for home. As I packed up, a few girls came running back to me, hugging me tightly and saying, “Didi, mat jao”,“Don’t go.” They had just started learning English, and those two simple words carried so much love. They held onto me, swaying with me for a good five or six minutes.

In that moment, I realized, this is what it’s all about. It’s not about rich or poor. It’s not about big social media gestures. It’s about tiny hearts being healed, about giving someone a sense of peace, a place where they feel loved. And oh, to be loved-what a gift that is.

I always say, God has given me this special place in His heart. Because moments like these? They are nothing short of divine.

~ kefira 14th March 2025